A panoramic power sunroof and sunshade are standard on the Expedition Platinum, which starts at $72,710.

A panoramic power sunroof and sunshade are standard on the Expedition Platinum, which starts at $72,710.

Photo: Ford

Worth the weight? Ford's new 2018 Expedition has oodles of room and power - but at a price

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Ford's overhauled 2018 Expedition has a new aluminum body like the latest F-Series trucks, more powerful 3.5-liter turbocharged V6s and a slew of new technology for convenience and safety.

The 2018 lineup consists of the XLT base model, the Limited and the all-in Platinum. The King Ranch version has gone bye-bye. (At least for this introduction year.) The extended length versions formerly known as EL are now called MAX.

The twin-turbocharged and intercooled 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is no stranger to Ford fans. The 2018 editions of the engines in XLT and Limited models, however, bring 375 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque to the party, 10 more horsepower and 50 lb.-ft. than the 2017 Expedition. The 2018 Platinum's EcoBoost, meanwhile, has been tweaked to deliver still more: 400 horses and 480 lb.-ft.

Besides more power, the big powertrain news is a 10-speed automatic with tow/haul mode. The traditional center-console shift lever is replaced by a rotary knob.

Thanks in part to the wider gear-ratio spread, the 2018 Expeditions return improved fuel economy - 17 mpg city and 24 highway for the 2WD XLT compared to 15/21 for the 2017 SUV. According to Ford officials, even though the switch from a steel body to one that's aluminum saved about 300 pounds, the new Expedition wound up being about the same weight, thanks to new features and extras that are standard or optional, depending on which trim level.

Practical touches include a cargo management system, reverse sensing, four 12-volt power sockets, a 4-inch driver information display, four charging USB ports - two in the front media hub and two for the second-row seat - and, are you ready?, 15 cupholders.

Our four-wheel-drive Expedition XLT had a base price of $54,705 but with upgrade packages and other add-ons, the MSRP ballooned to $63,935.

Equipment group 202A ($5,605) basically bundles features most consumers want when considering a full-size SUV, such as dual-zone climate control heated and ventilated 10-way power seats for driver and passenger, leather, blind spot warning system, hands-free, foot-activated liftgate, heated steering wheel, power tilt/telescoping steering column, remote start, Sync 3 infotainment system, ambient lighting, wireless charging for compatible phones and a 110/150W AC power outlet. You can also lessen the visual obstruction of the third-row headrests via a switch because they're powered.

Parents or grandparents take note: The 202A package also comes with a second row 40/20/40 split bench seat that can come in handy because the center seat has almost 11 inches of forward travel which puts a child in a car seat within easier reach of driver or passenger.

The Limited and Platinum variants offer all manner of technology ranging from parking and trailer-backup assistance systems to a dual-headrest rear seat entertainment system that can stream live TV if you have a SlingPlayer account.

Ford aficionados with an SUV budget of around $53,000 have an interesting fork to consider: practical or Platinum?

They can splurge on the top-of-the-line 2018 Explorer Platinum, which starts at $53,940 and has the direct-injected 3.5-liter EcoBoost and is exclusively 4WD.

Or they could ponder a base 2018 Expedition XLT that goes for $51,695 with 2WD or $54,705 with 4WD (see the breakout of models and pricing).

While the Expedition XLT may not have the Platinum-class trappings, flinty-eyed shoppers will see that the Expedition shines in some key aspects:

The Expedition has a 10-speed auto vs. Explorer's 6-speed

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost in the Expedition delivers 10 more horsepower and 120 lb.-ft. more torque. (The engines operate just fine on 87 octane, but Ford's published power numbers are derived from running 93 octane.)

"Plus-sized" legroom: one inch greater for driver and front passenger, up to 3.1 inches more room in the second row and up to 7.6 more inches to stretch the legs in the third row. (Space varies because Expedition's second and third-row seats slide.)

Although the Explorer and standard Expedition each have about 21 cu. ft. of cargo space aft of the third row, the Expedition's 171.9 cu. ft. of total passenger space vs. the Explorer's 151.5 translates to 104.6 cu. ft. with the second and third rows stowed vs. the Explorer's 81.7 cu. ft.

Even gas mileage may be an eye-opener. Though the Explorer 4WD is 791 lbs. lighter than an Expedition XLT 4WD, the Expedition's EPA fuel economy ratings are 17 mpg city and 23 highway, a hair better than the Explorer's 16/22.

Our seat time in Ford's new fourth-generation tech-happy 2018 Expedition was instructive. The standard wheelbase Expedition with FX4 off-road package is not only the least expensive (yes, that's a relative term), it's the version that's well-suited for work and play and ready to venture places city dwellers might be amazed it can, er, navigate. On road or off, the suspension delivered a ride that was supple and well controlled, yet not harsh. The cabin is also quiet enough that we winced anytime our trail-happy XLT came into contact with the indigenous brush.

If a land-going ark with four-wheel-drive prowess and space for up to eight is high on your wish list, check out the Expedition - your ship may have just come in.